Wearing a floor-length floral gown, the actress stunned as she took to the red carpet without her beau. With her blonde locks scraped back into a neat ponytail, Gemma posed for the red carpet ahead of the awards ceremony.

Gemma Atkinson stuns as she walks the red carpet at The Brit Awards 2018 [Wenn]

Following months of speculation, the duo confirmed their romance with a heartwarming image online – and now, Manchester-born Gemma has finally opened up on the very first stages of their relationship.

Speaking on the Key 103 breakfast show, Gemma admitted: "Obviously we worked together I’ve known him for six months now. During the show we only saw each other at weekends everyone was saying 'oh they're together' but we genuinely weren’t.

Strictly's Gemma Atkinson and Gorka Marquez started dating after the show ended [Gemma Atkinson/Instagram ]

"We just went for coffee and stuff on Sundays, not every Sunday, you can’t get to know someone just by seeing them at weekends.

"It was only when the tour started that we saw each other all the time and we thought oh ok this could work, and it did, and it does so far!

When asked what she liked most about the dancing hunk, she responded: "He’s very funny, I like the fact that he’s funny he makes me laugh and because he’s in London and I’m in Manchester I think that’s a good thing because you both have to make an effort to see each other.

Gorka Marquez and Gemma Atkinson recently went public with their relationship [Instagram]

"When you’re not working with someone it's very convenient and easy I'm very aware of that and when you’re separated that’s when you have to make the effort and it's sweet that’s nice."

Gemma Atkinson and Gorka Marquez pack on the PDA on romantic holiday in Tenerife

Gemma Atkinson and Gorka Marquez pack on the PDA on romantic holiday in Tenerife

Gorka Marquez plants a kiss on Gemma Atkinson as the pair soak in the sun in Tenerife
[KPPICTURES.CO.UK]

Gemma Atkinson and new boyfriend Gorka Marquez pack on the PDA after Strictly tour as they're pictured in Spain after confirming relationship – click here to see the pictures

Gemma also insisted the pair were not together during their time on the show, adding: "Someone messaged me and said ‘I can’t believe you’ve lied to us you were together all this time’ but we genuinely weren't, I would never get with someone that quickly.

"The reason it's nice is that we have known each other for six months now before it came to anything.”